ThoughtGallery.org > Home for the Holidays: A Mid-19th Century Christmas

Home for the Holidays: A Mid-19th Century Christmas

It’s 1855 and the Tredwell family is celebrating the season with holiday decorating, elaborate parties, festive food, and gift giving. New York had proclaimed Christmas a state holiday in 1849 and was leading the way in creating the joyous traditions we celebrate today.

Festive scenes are recreated throughout the house as the Tredwells make merry. Their elegant parlors are decorated with swags of evergreens, brilliant holly berries, white mistletoe, and red-leafed poinsettias; a table-top tree festooned with ribbons and candles takes center stage. Mrs. Tredwell is stuffing the children’s stockings and sending holiday greetings, and the Tredwell daughters are dressing in their finest silks.

In the kitchen, the Irish servants are preparing the plum pudding, shucking the oysters, and readying the punch bowl, using recipes from the latest holiday cookbooks.

Tour the house and discover how many of our modern holiday traditions, from Christmas trees and Christmas cards, to gifts and stockings, Christmas carols (and Santa Claus, too) originated in mid-19th century New York. Included with regular admission.











When: Fri., Nov. 29, 2019 - Mon., Jan. 6, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Merchant's House Museum
29 E. 4th St.
212-777-1089
Price: $15
Buy tickets/get more info now
See other events in these categories:

It’s 1855 and the Tredwell family is celebrating the season with holiday decorating, elaborate parties, festive food, and gift giving. New York had proclaimed Christmas a state holiday in 1849 and was leading the way in creating the joyous traditions we celebrate today.

Festive scenes are recreated throughout the house as the Tredwells make merry. Their elegant parlors are decorated with swags of evergreens, brilliant holly berries, white mistletoe, and red-leafed poinsettias; a table-top tree festooned with ribbons and candles takes center stage. Mrs. Tredwell is stuffing the children’s stockings and sending holiday greetings, and the Tredwell daughters are dressing in their finest silks.

In the kitchen, the Irish servants are preparing the plum pudding, shucking the oysters, and readying the punch bowl, using recipes from the latest holiday cookbooks.

Tour the house and discover how many of our modern holiday traditions, from Christmas trees and Christmas cards, to gifts and stockings, Christmas carols (and Santa Claus, too) originated in mid-19th century New York. Included with regular admission.

Buy tickets/get more info now